We arrived in Kinshasa on February 19 and after some shopping for supplies and some meetings we arrived back at Lodja/central Congo on February 24 after 7-plus months of absence due to Paul’s bypass surgery and his charcot foot on his right foot.

Since we’ve been back, Paul has had the mechanics and helpers work on the water well truck.  They ended up switching out the engine from another truck in order for the well rig to function. Also, the compressor which cleans out the mud water from the bore hole at the end of the drilling has not been functioning well for several years now and has been a constant challenge to keep it working just enough to clean out the bore holes. Paul brought back a control panel which seems to have repaired the problem. What great news this is! Also, the workers have been working on the companion truck that carries the piping, cement, gravel, water storage tank, etc. They have finally been able to repair this truck as
well.

It is quite the process to observe the drilling of a well. Near the end it is exciting to see the compressor blow out the muddy chemical water that will slowly clean out and become pure clean water. That is really an exciting part.

Currently, the well rig is parked in a village awaiting parts from South Africa which will probably take another three weeks before they arrive. We have learned to be patient with life out here as it is one repair after another. Patience, patience!

Clean well water is a major public health benefit and helps to prevent many diseases that come from other water sources that are contaminated. Most villagers get their water from a stream where they do their laundry, bathe and use as a toilet. This water then becomes contaminated for obvious reasons.

It is thrilling after each well is drilled to be able to bless a community with clean water. It gives us a real sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

You can go on to our website: appointmentcongo.org and click on Water Wells to see a short video which will give you an idea of what is involved in drilling for water.

I have been back and active in the Children’s Ministry. Before we went stateside last summer, I just felt led by the Holy Spirit to go ahead and do lessons for the months of September through January. Looking back now the Lord knew we would be in the states for an extended stay due to Paul’s health issues. The schedule for the Children’s Ministry needed to be ready for those months through January!

We would very much like to have folks pray for our work and ministry here in central Congo. The Children’s Ministry ministers to the future leaders of our area and community. I feel we really need these prayers for the Holy Spirit to effectively engage the hearts and minds of these youth. We have five after school classes in four different churches during the week. God does work through your prayers!